Engine with an annular chamber

ABSTRACT

An engine comprises an annular chamber, a plurality of runners disposed in the annular chamber in a manner to be moved in the same direction by gas pressure through the annular chamber, the runners being divided into two equal groups each having at least two units, two rotor members respectively coupled with each group of runners, inertia imparting blocks attached to the respective rotor members so as to apply the momentum of the runners of one group to those of the other group by collision between the block associated with one rotor member and that coupled with the other rotor member, a power take off shaft journaled in bearings in a manner to be aligned with the rotating axis of the rotor members, two power transmitting members fixed to the power take off shaft so as to cooperate with each rotor member in the advancing direction of the runner, and means for preventing the rotor members from being moved backwards.

United States Patent Saito 1 June 20, 1972 541 ENGINE WITH AN ANNULARPrimary Examiner-William E. Wayner CHAMBER Attorney-Flynn & Frishauf[72] inventor: Masahlro Salto, 407 Takashi, Mobara-shi, 57 STRACChiba-ken, Japan An engine comprises an annular chamber, a plurality ofrun- Flledi J y 1970 ners disposed in the annular chamber in a manner tobe moved Appl. No.: 58,800

[52] US. Cl l23/8.47, 418/36 [51 Int. Cl. F02b 55/00 [58] Field ofSearch ..4l8/36, 38; 123/8.47

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,212,649 1/1917 Krikorian..123/8.47 X 1,131,148 3/1915 Manuel ..418/34X 3,244,156 4/1966 Curtiss..4l8/36 3,302,625 2/1967 Cunningham ..4l8/36 X in the same direction bygas pressure through the annular chamber, the runners being divided intotwo equal groups each having at least two units, two rotor membersrespectively coupled with each group of runners, inertia impartingblocksattached to the respective rotor members so as to apply the momentum ofthe runners of one group to those of the other group by collisionbetween the block associated with one rotor member and that coupled withthe other rotor member. a power take off shaft joumaled in bearings in amanner to be aligned with the rotating axis of the rotor members, twopower transmitting members fixed to the power take off shaft so as tocooperate with each rotor member in the advancing direction of therunner, and means for preventing the rotor members from being movedbackwards.

7 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures P'h'TENTEnJunzolsrz 3.670.705

SHEET 010? 10 F l G. 1

PATENTEDJuueo 1972 SHEET 0 [1F 10 FIG. 4

PATENTEDmzo 1972 sum 05 or 10 FIG. 50

PATENTEDJUMEO m2 sum as or 10 FIG.

PRTENTEmuuao I972 3.670.705

SHEET 07 0F 10 FIG. 6

PATENTEDJUHZOIQIZ 3.670.705

sum as or 10 PATENTEDmzo m2 3.670.705

sum 09 or 10 ENGINE WITH AN ANNULAR CHAMBER The present inventionrelates to an engine with an annular chamber wherein a plurality ofrunners are advanced by gas pressure in one direction, and moreparticularly to an engine usable as an ignition combustion engine,compression combustion engine, steam engine and the like.

The feature of this invention consists in obtaining rotation powerdirectly from the circular movement of runners disposed in the annularchamber, so that the engine of this invention is driven with higherefficiency than the prior reciprocating engine of the piston-cylindertype.

According to the present invention, the engine comprises an annularchamber, a plurality of runners so disposed in the annular chamber as todivide it into the same number of gas-actuated areas as the runners andmoved along the circular line of the chamber in one direction by theactuation of gases introduced into said areas, the runners being dividedinto two equal groups each having at least two units in such a mannerthat the runners of one group are alternately arranged with those of theother group, two rotor members respectively coupled with each group ofrunners, inertia imparting blocks attached to the respective rotormembers so as to apply the mo mentum of the runners of one group tothose of the other group by collision between the block associated withone rotor member and that coupled with the other rotor member, a owertake off shaft joumaled in bearings in a manner to be aligned with therotating axis of the rotor members, two power transmitting members fixedto the power take ofi shaft so as to cooperate with each rotor member inthe advancing direction of the runner, and means for preventing therotor members from being moved backwards.

The other features and advantages of the present invention will beunderstood from the following description with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross sectional view of a two cycle ignitioncombustion engine embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is another cross sectional view of the engine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the engine taken along a line Ill-III of FIG.1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view, partly broken away, of the engine of FIG.1;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are perspective views of the engine of FIG. 1 where theparts of the engine are demounted;

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross sectional view of a steam engine furtherembodying the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an end view of the engine taken along a line VII- VII of FIG.6;

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of the engine taken along a lineVIII-VIII of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of the engine taken along a line lX-IXof FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of the engine taken along a line X-Xof FIG. 6; and

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view of the engine taken along a line Xl-XIof FIG. 6.

FIGS. 1 to 5 indicate an ignition combustion gasoline engine embodyingthis invention. The engine comprises an engine body or housing 1 havinga central circular hollow portion la, and an endless tubular portion lbdisposed on the periphery thereof so as to form therein an annularchamber 2 having a circular cross section: A plurality of runners aredisposed in the annular chamber 2 movably through the tube, and dividedinto two equal groups, each of which has at least two units or, asindicated, four units totaling eight represented by reference characters3a, 3b, 3c and 3d 30, 3b, 3c and 3d) in such a manner that the runners3a, 3b, 3c and 3d of one group are altemately arranged with those 30,3b, 3c and 3d of the other group, and that the chamber 2 is divided intothe same number of gas-actuated areas 4a to 4b as all the runners. Therunners of each group are arranged on a circular line at a prescribed sace.

The engine further comprises two disc-shaped rotor member 5 and 5'respectively coupled with the runners of each group, which are attachedto the peripheral portion of the rotor member. The rotor members 5 and5' are disposed in the central circular hollow portion la whichcommunicates with the annular chamber 2 through an annular slot 6 formedin the inside peripheral portion of the tubular portion lb. Theperipheral portion of the rotor members 5 and 5' slidably contact eachother and the opposite inner surfaces of the annular slot 6 with anair-tight seal there between.

The rotor members 5 and 5' are rotated about their common axis, which isaligned with that of a power take ofi shaft 7 journaled in bearings 8and 8 mounted on the side portions of the housing 1. There are providedinertia imparting blocks divided into two groups represented byreference characters 9b-9c-9d, and 9a'-9b'-9c'-9d'. The grouped blocksare arranged on the respective inside surfaces of the rotor members 5and 5' in such a manner that the blocks of one group bear an alternaterelationship with those of the other group along a circular line coaxialwith the axis of the rotor member.

The aforementioned alternate arrangement assures that rotation of eitherof the rotor members 5 and 5' causes the blocks of the correspondinggroup to strike those of the other group and the momentum of the runnersassociated with the blocks of the former group is transmitted to thoseof the latter, before the forward ends of the runners of the formergroup reach the rear ends of those of the latter.

On the power take ofi shaft 7 are fixed two power transmitting members10 and 10' which have bearing portions 10a and 10a, and stop portions10b and 10b respectively. The bearing portions and 10a rotatably bearthe bosses of the rotor members 5 and 5'. The bosses of the rotormembers have inner stepped portions 5a and 5a facing the stop portions10b and 10b respectively and each having circularly arranged ratchetteeth l0c engageable in a clockwise direction, in which the runneradvances as shown in F IG. 5b, with pawls 11 which are pivotablydisposed in grooves 12 formed on the periphery of the stop portions 10b(10b In the inner peripheral portions of the housing 1 facing the outerperiphery of the bosses of the rotor members 5 and 5' are positionedcircularly arranged ratchet teeth represented by reference characters 13and 13a. The ratchet teeth 13 are engageable in an anticlockwisedirection, namely, opposite to that in which the runner advances, withpawls l4 pivotably disposed in grooves 15 formed on the peripheralportion of each of the bosses of the rotor members 5 and 5'. The ratchetteeth 13a are engageable in a clockwise direction, in which the runneradvances, with pawls 14a pivotably set in grooves 15a formed on theperipheral portion of each of the bosses of the rotor members 5 and 5'.

To the power transmitting members 10 and I0 are attached disengagingmembers 10d and 10d, which are used in such a manner that the pawls 14aof the stopped rotor member which are associated with the ratchet teeth13a are depressed into the grooves 15a thereof by the correspondingdisengaging member so as to cause the pawls 14a to be disengaged fromthe ratchet teeth 13a immediately before the stop of the precedingrunners.

On the mutually facing surfaces of the bosses of the rotor members 5 and5' are fonned bevel-gear teeth 16 and 16' coaxial with the axis of theshaft 7 and alternately engageable with bevel-gear teeth 17a and 17aformed on a gear wheel 17 which is, for example, splined on the shaft 7,namely, in a manner to remain fixed in the rotating direction of anengine, but be movable in the axial direction thereof.

On one of the opposite walls of the endless tubular portion lb along thecircular line thereof are arranged at an equal spacing six ignitionplugs 18a to 18]. On the other wall of the endless tubular portion 1balong the circular line thereof are formed six pairs of intake ports 19ato 19f, and exhaust ports 20a to 20f spaced from the ignition plug byhalf a pitch therebetween. Each pair of intake and exhaust ports hasvalve seats 21 and 22 on which there rest poppet valve discs 23 and 24respectively in a manner to be removable therewith. The valve discs 23and 24 include operating rods 25 and 26 projecting out of the housing 1and having at the outer ends guide heads 25a and 26a respectively.Furthermore, each of the valve discs 23 and 24 is outwardly urged bymeans of a compression spring member 27 surrounding the guide rod 25 or26, in such manner that the valve disc contacts the corresponding seatso as to cause the corresponding port to be shut.

To the side portion of the housing 1 is attached a cup-like gear casing28 which contains three bevel gears 29, 30 and 31 serially engaged witheach other. The bevel gear 29 is attached to the end of the shaft 7, thebevel gear 31 is attached to a shaft 32 journaled with the end of thegear casing 28 coaxially with the shaft 7 and projecting therefrom, andthe bevel gear 30 is attached to a shaft 33 journaled with the sideportion of the gear casing 28 perpendicularly to the axis of the shaft7. To the outer end portion of the shaft 32 is attached a turn table 34for controlling the respective poppet valves.

Two parallel circular guide portions 35 and 36 are formed on the sidewall of the turn table 34 in a manner to face the guide heads 25a and26a of each pair of the poppet valves used in the intake and exhaustports.

The top surface of the guide portions 35 and 36 is corrugatedparticularly in such a manner that the guide head of each of the poppetvalves moves relative to the direction in which there is formed thecorrugation so as to operate the poppet valves in the following timesequence.

While the runners of one group represented by reference characters 3a,3b, 3c and 3d, together with the corresponding rotor member 5, make afirst one-twelfth revolution due to the explosion of compressed gases inthe areas 4a and 4e caused by the energized ignition plugs 18a and 18d,the gas filled in the areas 4b and 4f is compressed by the advancingmovement of the runners 3a and 3c. Simultaneously, the poppet valves 23provided in the intake ports 19a and 19d, though the valves of the otherintake ports are closed, are opened so as to allow fresh gas to besucked in due to the expansion of the areas 40 and 4g caused by theadvancing movement of the runners 3b and 3d. On the other hand thepoppet valves 24 positioned in the exhaust ports 20b and 20e, though thevalves of the other exhaust ports are closed, are opened so as to allowwaste gas to be expelled therethrough due to the shrinkage of the areas4d and 4h caused by the advancing movement of the runners 3b and 3d.

Next, when a second group of runners 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d, together withthe corresponding rotor member similarly make a one-twelfth revolution,the same cycle of operation is conducted as in the preceding case byanother set of runners immediately succeeding to the preceding ones inthe direction in which the runners peripherally advance. Namely, whenthe runners 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d make a one-twelfth revolution due to theexplosion of compressed gases in the areas 4b and 4] caused by theenergized ignition plugs 18b and 18a, the gas filled in the areas 4c and4g respectively is compressed by the advancing movement of the runners3a and 3c. Simultaneously, the poppet valves 23 provided in the intakeports 19b and 19a are opened so as to allow fresh gas to be sucked indue to the expansion of the areas 4d and 4h caused by the advancingmovement of the runners 3b and 3d, and the poppet valves 24 positionedin the exhaust ports 20c and 20f are opened so as to allow waste gas tobe expelled therethrough due to the shrinkage of the areas 4e and 4acaused by the advancing movement of the runners 3b and 3d.

When the first mentioned runners 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d similarly make againa one-twelfth revolution, the same cycle of operation is conducted as inthe preceding case by another set of runners immediately succeeding tothe preceding ones. Consequently, the aforementioned two cycles ofoperation of the groups of runners are conducted alternately.

The inertia of the preceding runners of one group is transmitted to thestopped runners of the other group by collision between the inertiaimparting blocks associated with the former group and those coupled withthe latter.

When the runners 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d together with the rotor member 5, areadvanced along the circular locus defined by the annular chamber in aclockwise direction as shown in FIG. 3, their one-twelfth revolution isimparted to the transmitting member 10 by ratchet teeth of the stopportion 10b engaged with the pawls 1 l, and the rotor member 5'corresponding to the stopped runners 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d is not urged inthe advancing direction, regardless of the rotation of the shaft 7 bythe power transmitting member 10 which is forcedly urged by the formerrotor member 5, because the ratchet teeth 10c of the stop portion 10bare disengaged from the pawls 11.

Similarly, when the runners 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d together with the rotormember 5', are advanced along the circular locus, their one-twelfthrevolution is imparted to the transmitting member 10' by the ratchetteeth 10c of the stop portion 10b engaged with the pawls 11. In thiscase, the rotor member 5 corresponding to the runners 3a, 3b, 3c and 3dis not urged by the ratchet teeth 10c of the stop portion 10b disengagedfrom the pawls 11.

When the gas pressure of the areas is increased by explosion, one groupof runners and the corresponding rotor member, which are stopped, areprevented from making a backward motion in an opposite direction to thatshown in FIG. 3, by the ratchet teeth 13 of stopping portioncorresponding to the group engaged with the pawls 14.

And the stopped rotor member, together with the associated group ofrunners is simultaneously prevented from making an unnecessary run in aclockwise direction in FIG. 3, by the ratchet teeth 13a engaged with thepawls 14a until the preceding rotor member completes its movement.

Since the teeth 17a of the gear wheel 17 always engage with those of themoving rotor member, the shaft 7 is rotated at the same speed as themoving rotor member, so that the shaft 7 makes no idle movement.

When the inertia of one group of runners and rotor member is imparted tothe other group of runners and rotor member by the inertia impartingblocks with the resultant stop of the former group, then the engagedgear teeth of the gear wheel 17 are disengaged from the bevel-gear teethcorresponding to the former group, and the other gear teeth of the gearwheel 17 are engaged with the other bevel-gear teeth corresponding tothe latter group so that the latter group is prevented from making anidle movement against the power transmitting member.

In this case, the gear wheel 17 is so constructed that, for example, thesurface of each of its gear teeth 17a inclined in the direction in whichthe runners revolve is depressed toward the corresponding surface ofeach of the bevel-gear teeth 16 engaged with gear teeth 17a so as tocause the gear wheel 17 to be moved away from the rotor member 5 alongthe spline of the shaft 7 when the rotor member 5 is stopped, and thegear wheel 17, together with the shaft 7, rotates forward relative tothe rotor member 5.

Preferably, the gear wheel 17 is urged backward to its original positionat the center of the spline of the shaft 7 by means of a toggle springmember 37.

FIGS. 7 to 9 illustrate a steam engine further embodying this invention.The engine comprises an engine body having an annular chamber 102 likethat of the first mentioned embodiment. A plurality of, for example, sixrunners are disposed in the annular chamber 102 movably along a circularlocus defined by the annular chamber 102 as in the first mentionedembodiment, and divided into two equal groups, each of which has atleast two units, or, as indicated, three units totaling six representedby reference characters 103a, l03b and 103c (103a', 103b' and 103c').The chamber 102 is divided into gas-actuated areas 104a to l04f by therunners.

The engine further comprises two disc-shaped rotor members 105 and 105respectively coupled with the runners of each group, which are attachedto the peripheral portion of said rotor member. The rotor members 105and 105 are disposed in the central hollow portion of the engine bodywhich communicates with the annular chamber 102 through a circular slot106 formed inside of the periphery of the tubular portion of the enginebody defining the chamber 102. The peripheral portions of the rotormembers 105 and 105' slidably contact each other and the opposite wallsurfaces of the slot 106 in airtight seal.

The rotor members 105 and 105 are rotated about their common axis, whichis aligned with that of a power take ofi shaft 107 joumaled in bearings108 and 108 mounted on the side portions of the engine body. There areprovided inertia imparting blocks divided into two groups represented byreference characters 109a 109b 109:: and 109a 109b 109c. The groupedblocks are attached to the inside surfaces of the respective rotormembers in such a manner that the blocks of one group are alternatelyarranged with those of the other group along a circular locus co-axialwith the axis of the rotor member.

The blocks of both groups are actuated in the same manner as in thefirst mentioned embodiment.

On the power take off shaft 107 are fixed two power transmitting members110 and 110 which have stop portions 11% and 110b' respectively. Each ofthe stop portions 11011 and 110b' has ratchet teeth 110a and 110d formedon the peripheral portion thereof.

0n the inner periphery of the central hollow portion of the enginehousing are circularly arranged ratchet teeth 113 and 1 13a so as toface the ratchet teeth 110c and 110d respectively. During the rotationof one of the rotor members 105 and 105', the pawls 1 11 are engageablewith the ratchet teeth 110C as shown in FIG. 8 so as to transmit theadvancing movement of the rotor member to the corresponding powertransmitting member. The pawls 1110 are engageable with the ratchetteeth 1 10d as shown in FIG. 9 so as to prevent the power transmittingmember from making a clockwise run when braking is applied to theengine. According to the arrangement of the other rotor member which isstationary, pawls 1 14 are engageable with the ratchet teeth 113 asshown in FIG. 11 so as to prevent the rotor member from making abackward movement. And the pawls 1140 are engageable with the ratchetteeth 113a as shown in FIG. 10 so as to prevent the stopped rotor memberfrom being idly moved.

Each of the rotor members 105 and 105' includes three sectorial windows115a,115b and 115C (1 15a, l15b' and 115C). The pawls 111, Illa, 114 and114a are attached to pivots 152, 152a, 153 and 153a which are rotatablysecured to the rotor members 105 and 105' in such a manner that thepivots 152a and 153a associated with one rotor member particularlyproject through the windows of the other rotor member. The pawls 111 and111a swing themselves in such a manner that their ends are depressed onthe surfaces of the ratchet teeth Il0c and 110d respectively. The pawls114 and 1144 are urged by means of torsional springs (not shown) so asto be depressed on the surfaces of the ratchet teeth 1 13 and 1 13a.

The rotor members 105 and 105 comprise disengaging members 160 which areso actuated that immediately before either of the rotor members 105 and105' stops rotation, the corresponding disengaging members release thepawls 111a associated with the rotor member which is about to stand atrest from the ratchet teeth 1 10d.

The rotor members 105 and 105 comprise other disengaging members 161which are so operated that, immediately before either of the rotormembers 105 and 105' stops rotation, the corresponding disengagingmembers release the pawls 114a associated with the rotor member which isstationary from the ratchet teeth 1 13a.

On one of the opposite inner walls of the annular chamber 102 are formedtwelve pairs of intake ports 1 19a to 119l, and exhaust ports 120a to1201 equally spaced from each other on a circular locus defined by theannular chamber. Each pair of the intake and exhaust ports includespoppet valves 154 and 155 provided in the same manner as in the firstmentioned embodiment.

A turn table 134 for controlling the respective poppet valves isattached to the end portion of a shaft 132 coaxially with the axis ofthe shaft 107 and journaled in a gear casing 156 mounted on the endportion of the engine body.

The shaft 132 has an internal gear 157 intermeshing with a spur gear 158pivoted to the end portion of the housing. The spur gear 158 registerswith another spur gear 159 mounted on the end portion of the shaft 107.On one side of the turn table 134 there are formed two parallel circularguide portions 135 and 136 in a manner to face the guide heads 154a and155a of each pair of the poppet valves 154 and 155 used in the intakeand exhaust ports.

The top surfaces of the guide portions 135 and 136 are corrugatedparticularly in such a manner that the guide head of the poppet valvemoves relative to the direction in which there is formed the corrugationso as to operate the poppet valve in the following time sequence.

When the runners of one group represented by reference characters 103a,103k and 1030, together with the corresponding rotor member 105, make afirst one-sixth revolution due to the force of compressed gas or steamintroduced into the areas 104b, 104d and 104]" through the valves 154provided in the intake ports 119e, 119g and 119k, then the areas 104a,104c and 104e are shrunk by the advancing movement of theabove-mentioned runners 1030, 103b and 1030. During the shrinkage ofsaid areas 104a, 104c and 104e, the valves 155 provided in the exhaustports 120b, 120j and 120j are opened so as to exhaust waste steam to theatmosphere or into a reservoir (not shown).

Next, when the runners of one group represented by reference characters103a, 1031; and l03c'together with the corresponding rotor member 105',make a starting e motion as a result of collision between the inertiaimparting blocks 109a, 109b, and 109C and the blocks 109a, 10% and1090', and a one-sixth revolution due to the force of compressed gas orsteam introduced into the areas 1040, 10 4c and 104ethrough the valves154 provided in the intake ports 119b, 119f and 119j, then the areas104b, 104d and 104)" are shrunk by the advancing movement of theabove-mentioned runners 103a, 103b' and 103c. During the shrinkage ofsaid areas 104b, 104d and 104f, the valves 155 provided in the exhaustports 120a, 120e and 120i are opened so as to expel waste steam to theatmosphere or into a reservoir (not shown).

When the first mentioned runners 103a, l03b and 103C again make aone-sixth revolution, the same cycle of operation is conducted as in thepreceding case by another set of runners immediately following thecorresponding ones in the direction in which the runners peripherallyadvance.

When the runners 103a, 103b and 103e, together with the rotor member105, are advanced along the circular locus defined by the annularchamber in a clockwise direction shown in FIG. 8, their one-sixthrevolution is imparted to the transmitting member 110 by the ratchetteeth 1 10 of the stop portion 11% engaged with the pawls 111. In thiscase, the rotor member 105' corresponding to the stopped runners 103a,1031b and l03c' is not urged forward, regardless of the rotation of theshaft 107 by the power transmitting member 1 10 which is forcedly urgedby the rotor member 105, because the ratchet teeth 1100 of the stopportion 110b are disengaged from the pawls 111 of the advancing member110' coupled with the shaft 107.

Similarly, when the runners 103a, 103b' and 103c', together with therotor member 105', are advanced along the circular locus, theirone-sixth revolution is imparted to the transmitting member 110' by theratchet teeth 1100 of the stop portion 110b' engaged with the pawls 111.In this case, the rotor member 105 corresponding to the runners 103a,1031) and 1036 is not urged by the ratchet teeth 1l0c of the stopportion 1 10b disengaged from the pawls 1 1 1.

When compressed steam is supplied to an operating area, the group ofrunners and rotor member which is stopped is prevented after start frommaking an anticlockwise movement shown in FIG. 11, by engagement withpawls 114 of the ratchet teeth 1 13 of stop portion corresponding tosaid group.

In order to better adjust the timing of the mutual action of each pairof the intake and exhaust valves, the engine device of this inventionmay involve guide portions 135 and 136 constituted by separate memberscapable of being adjustably positioned on one side of a turn table 134.

What is claimed is:

l. A rotary engine comprising:

a. an engine housing having an annular chamber;

b. a power take-E shaft joumaled at the axis of said annular chamber;

c. a first rotor member and a second rotor member disposed oppositely toeach other and loosely mounted for rotation on said shaft;

d. a plurality of runners provided on each of said rotor members incircumferentially spaced fashion and slidably inserted in said annularchamber, the runners on the first rotor member alternating with those onthe second rotor member such that two adjacent runners and the innerwall of said annular chamber define a gas actuated area;

first and second power transmitting means fixedly connected to saidshaft;

f first means causing the first and second rotor members to engagerespectively with the first and second power transmitting means so as toprevent said transmitting means from idly moving backward with respectto said rotor members;

. second means causing the first and second rotor members to engage withthe engine housing so as to prevent the backward idle movement of therotor members;

h. a pair of third means causing the rotor members to engage with theengine housing so as to prevent the forward idle movement of the rotormembers while the rotor members are kept stationary;

. means for operating the third means to disengage the rotor membersfrom the engine housing so as to allow the rotor members to moveforward;

j. means for connecting the running rotor member with the shaft toprevent the shaft from idly moving forward with respect to the runningrotor member;

. at least one intake port on the annular chamber for introducingexpansible gas into said gas actuated areas; and

. at least one exhaust port on the annular chamber for exhausting usedgas from the actuated areas.

2. The rotary engine according to claim 1 wherein said connecting meanscomprises a gear wheel fixed to the shaft and telescopically movablebetween the rotor members and having on the both sides bevel gear teethengageable with bevel gear teeth provided on the inner sides of therotor members, said bevel gear teeth of the gear wheel being formed soas to engage with those of the rotor members while the rotor members arerunning and to disengage from those of the rotor members while the rotormembers are kept stationary, whereby the gear wheel selectively engageswith with the running rotor members to connect said running rotormembers with the shaft so 7 as to prevent the idle forward movement ofthe shafi.

3. The rotary engine according to claim 2 wherein each of said thirdmeans comprises ratchet teeth arranged coaxially with the shaft on theinside of the engine housing and depressible pawls providedcircumferentially on each of the rotor members so as to engage thecorresponding ratchet teeth while the rotor rnembers are keptstationary; and said operating means comprises a plurality ofdisengaging members projecting laterally from each of the powertransmitting means and arranged thereon in circumferentially spacedrelationship to depress the pawls of the rotor members so as todisengage the rotor members from the corresponding power transmittingmeans while the rotor members are rotated.

4. The rotary engine according to claim 1 wherein said connecting meanscomprises first ratchet teeth arranged coaxially with the shaft on eachof the power transmitting means, a plurality of first pawls provided andcircumferentially spaced on the corresponding rotor member to engagewith the first ratchet teeth so as to prevent the forward idle movementof the shaft while said corresponding rotor member is turnin and firstdisengaging members provided and crrcumferenti y spaced on the otherrotor member to disengage the first pawls from the first ratchet teethwhile said corresponding rotor member is kept stationary.

5. The rotary engine according to claim 4 wherein each of said thirdmeans comprises second ratchet teeth arranged coaxially with the shafton the inside of the engine housing, a plurality of second pawlscircumferentially spaced on the corresponding rotor member to engagewith the second ratchet teeth so as to prevent the forward idle movementof the corresponding rotor member while it is kept stationary, and saidoperating means comprises second disengaging members circumferentiallyspaced on the other rotor member to disengage the second pawls from thesecond ratchet teeth while said corresponding rotor member is running.

6. The rotary engine according to claim 1 including a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced inertia imparting blocks on each of the innersides of the first and second rotor members, the blocks on the firstrotor member alternating with those of the second rotor member, theblocks on the running first or second member striking against thestationary second or first member, respectively.

7. The rotary engine according to claim 1 wherein said first runners,second runners, intake ports and exhaust ports are respectively four,four, six and six in number, said engine having six ignition plugs, sixpairs of said intake and exhaust ports, said ignition plugs and pairs ofports being alternately arranged on, and communicating with, the annularchamber, said engine including means for operating said ignition plugsand pairs of intake and exhaust ports in timed relationship with therotation of said shaft.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE v CERTIFICATEOF CORRECTION Dated June 20,1972 Patent No. 3 670 705 Inventor($) Masahiro SAITQ It is certifiedthat error appears in the above-identified" patent. and that said-Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

r- Page 1 In the heading add the following Priority data:

-[30] Foreign Application Priority Data April10,-1970fiapani-Qu..Q.Q....;... ..3 0316/70.--

Signed and sealed this 5th day of December 1972. I

(SEAL) Attest:

ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents

1. A rotary engine comprising: a. an engine housing having an annular chamber; b. a power take-off shaft journaled at the axis of said annular chamber; c. a first rotor member and a second rotor member disposed oppositely to each other and loosely mounted for rotation on said shaft; d. a plurality of runners provided on each of said rotor members in circumferentially spaced fashion and slidably inserted in said annular chamber, the runners on the first rotor member alternating with those on the second rotor member such that two adjacent runners and the inner wall of said annular chamber define a gas actuated area; e. first and second power transmitting means fixedly connected to said shaft; f. first means causing the first and second rotor members to engage respectively with the first and second power transmitting means so as to prevent said transmitting means from idly moving backward with respect to said rotor members; g. second means causing the first and second rotor members to engage with the engine housing so as to prevent the backward idle movement of the rotor members; h. a pair of third means causing the rotor members to engage with the engine housing so as to prevent the forward idle movement of the rotor members while the rotor members are kept stationary; i. means for operating the third means to disengage the rotor members from the engine housing so as to allow the rotor members to move forward; j. means for connecting the running rotor member with the shaft to prevent the shaft from idly moving forward with respect to the running rotor member; k. at least one intake port on the annular chamber for introducing expansible gas into said gas actuated areas; and l. at least one exhaust port on the annular chamber for exhausting used gas from the actuated areas.
 2. The rotary engine according to claim 1 wherein said connecting means comprises a gear wheel fixed to the shaft and telescopically movable between the rotor members and having on the both sides bevel gear teeth engageable with bevel gear teeth provided on the inner sides of the rotor members, said bevel gear teeth of the gear wheel being formed so as to engage with those of the rotor members while the rotor members are running and to disengage from those of the rotor members while the rotor members are kept stationary, whereby the gear wheel selectively engages with the running rotor members to connect said running rotor members with the shaft so as to prevent the idle forward movement of the shaft.
 3. The rotary engine according to claim 2 wherein each of said third means comprises ratchet teeth arranged coaxially with the shaft on the inside of the engine housing and depressible pawls provided circumferentially on each of the rotor members so as to engage the corresponding ratchet teeth while the rotor members are kept stationary; and said operating means comprises a plurality of disengaging members projecting laterally from each of the power transmitting means and arranged thereon in circumferentially spaced relationship to depress the pawls of the rotor members so as to disengage the rotor members from the corresponding power transmitting means while the rotor members are rotated.
 4. The rotary engine according to claim 1 wherein said connecting means comprises first ratchet teeth arranged coaxially with the shaft on each of tHe power transmitting means, a plurality of first pawls provided and circumferentially spaced on the corresponding rotor member to engage with the first ratchet teeth so as to prevent the forward idle movement of the shaft while said corresponding rotor member is turning, and first disengaging members provided and circumferentially spaced on the other rotor member to disengage the first pawls from the first ratchet teeth while said corresponding rotor member is kept stationary.
 5. The rotary engine according to claim 4 wherein each of said third means comprises second ratchet teeth arranged coaxially with the shaft on the inside of the engine housing, a plurality of second pawls circumferentially spaced on the corresponding rotor member to engage with the second ratchet teeth so as to prevent the forward idle movement of the corresponding rotor member while it is kept stationary, and said operating means comprises second disengaging members circumferentially spaced on the other rotor member to disengage the second pawls from the second ratchet teeth while said corresponding rotor member is running.
 6. The rotary engine according to claim 1 including a plurality of circumferentially spaced inertia imparting blocks on each of the inner sides of the first and second rotor members, the blocks on the first rotor member alternating with those of the second rotor member, the blocks on the running first or second member striking against the stationary second or first member, respectively.
 7. The rotary engine according to claim 1 wherein said first runners, second runners, intake ports and exhaust ports are respectively four, four, six and six in number, said engine having six ignition plugs, six pairs of said intake and exhaust ports, said ignition plugs and pairs of ports being alternately arranged on, and communicating with, the annular chamber, said engine including means for operating said ignition plugs and pairs of intake and exhaust ports in timed relationship with the rotation of said shaft. 